“I am extremely excited to welcome Joseph Lopez into the Winthrop basketball family,” said Kelsey, in his second year as head coach of the Eagles. “As a player, what makes him special is that he has a motor that doesn’t stop. I do not think I watched a harder playing young man all summer on the AAU circuit.”

Lopez, a Miami, FL native, played for South Miami High School and Gold Coast AAU. He averaged 11.3 points and 10.1 rebounds for South Miami last season where the team was a Florida State Finalist and sported a record of 28-3. Lopez was named 2013 All-Dade County last year.

“Coach Kelsey and Winthrop are getting a player that is just scratching the surface,” said South Miami head coach Robert Doctor. “He is such a versatile player who plays with super energy. He can do almost anything on the court. Joseph is the lynchpin in our defensive schemes that can guard all five positions. With Joseph on the court we are able to do many things.”

Kelsey also noted that Lopez is “very physical, rebounds extremely well and is good around the rim. He is also skilled and versatile enough to thrive in the open court. He fits our system perfectly. Joseph is a 3.6 student from a great family. His mother is a principal and his father is a teacher. Getting to know their tight-knit family has been a pleasure. Welcome Joseph!”